Runza Restaurant Expected To Open In Early 2024
The Runza restaurant in Glenwood is projected to open in early 2024, according a spokesperson at the companie's corporate office in Lincoln, Neb.
The Runza - Pizza Hut construction site on South Locust Street.
The planned opening in the Spring of 2023 didn’t happen, but construction of a building that will house a Runza restaurant and Pizza Hut in Glenwood is still on the drawing board.
“The Glenwood team has begun work on the site and anticipate opening in early 2024,” Runza Restaurants Director Of Marketing Becky Perrett said last week in an email communication.
The construction site on the 700 block of South Locust Street sat idle for several months earlier this year but activity has picked up over the summer.
Because the property is located in a floodplain, Runza contractors and engineering consultants have been working with the Iowa Department Of Natural Resources to get a construction plan approved, according to Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan. The Glenwood City Council was recently given an update on the project by the city’s engineering consultant, Jake Zimmerer of Eagle Engineering.
“They’ve been working with DNR to get their plan approved. I believe they did have a plan approved and it was pretty costly so they were trying to find a different plan,” Farnan said. “So, I believe right now DNR is doing another plan review on their building. As long as DNR is OK with the plan, we’ll approve their permit and we’ll be ready to go.”
The Lincoln, Neb.-based regional restaurant chain announced last fall that it would be opening its 89th restaurant in Glenwood.
“We are proud to expand our store network and excited to bring a Runza restaurant to the area,” stated Donald Everett, Jr., president of Runza National.
Runza franchisees Ethan Hall and Scott Fredericksen will own the Glenwood store. Fredericksen also owns the Runza Restaurant location in Plattsmouth, while Hall partially owns the 171st and West Maple St. store in Omaha and the two share ownership of the Clarinda restaurant location.
“Glenwood is a thriving community and we are pleased to be part of the growth,” Fredericksen said in October 2022.
Hall shared similar comments.
Glenwood is a great town and we are excited to serve the community,” he said.
The first Runza restaurant was opened in 1949. Known for its signature stuffed beef and cabbage sandwiches, Runza’s menu includes burgers, chicken sandwiches and strips, salads, fries and onion rings. The restaurant currently has locations in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri.